![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI6JHzBudzdH3ALUPJS89ESqDCFZOKyVohQN9rmrpqqXviTM2v0K078-5EQsVTW6Wir9NxvUVU_qlY-AHVG7KEPlh5KA7T4KlpJ3EZWWi1jynoyWZD0hhn_iNCY_eOeJ_j8sMOg/s400/267821077.jpg)
When I was in art school, often before you began a painting you did 50 - 100 "thumbnail" sketches to test out your composition. These were quick and loose, usually about 2 inches in size. The idea is that you were supposed to decide on your composition BEFORE you begin the painting. Sometimes, though, I like to just experiment. The painting above is a combination of the following experiments
- laying on acrylic paint in washes and layers
- scratching into the paint while it's wet
- wiping away portions while it's wet
- dropping rubbing alcohol into the wet paint
- laying a wash of rubbing alcohol down and then painting over that with thinned paint while it was still wet.
I started with a layer of a golden primer/gesso. I really like starting with a colored base, as I think that gives the painting some unity. This is one of my favorite paintings, probably because I had so much fun experimenting and PLAYING. It's about 5 by 7 inches.
I used my photo editing program to crop some images out of the painting. I'm using my computer to make "thumbnail sketches".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgr7gPy7HaBG6WQpEMn2YVNptnIBucfJfGRsKfJeYnhw8nIk3cDHiNp5v7n6F34j8eJjoKf170j6W_dIDoIvVZskXUdRqVeA33haFiSiYGh1INvnrUyl5yBKMY-HrpYuuJ17Dyg/s400/Experimental+crop2.jpg)
I love the softness in the image above...
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Hkxr6knfdoIQDfVGVEI9JLAMoIySod2sClKcqj1IKHt-HU8g6_ECays6x9m4rf4sFXQ-aE2ZvBJUuJzrh3vtirXc6-XnVoWXL8lgnok6RQqZi2p7q1mYr6J4I_VI2BqVR5ArA/s400/Experimental+crop5.jpg)
This image and the one below are the same crop,
but I've flipped it from left to right.
To me, the one above is more inviting.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMgszsVuS4jTVhYjQzhmOuoP518PgQt78bDnEOOqIFyK20nCJyjzceUP7Jhw0VoQVv3gMNjtXKXd3Q15Jst0XaSLkHb0fhEPOe6Y_U2wyC_D4JKp_DTe8pl4yq-rqf_Egc5SHTg/s400/Experimental+crop6.jpg)
Now that I've experimented, the idea is to remember what made what texture and to use it
on purpose in a painting.
2 comments:
I also love this. It is so calming and yet, holds my interest. I think its wonderful. Would love to gaze at it after a stressful day or when I need grounded and rejuvenated. Very nicely done!
Darly
This is a warm inviting painting. I know what you mean about remembering and using the process on purpose. But isn't the experimenting the fun part anyway?
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